Vehicle

ABSTRACT

There is provided a vehicle including a peripheral steering wheel, a grip forming a part of the wheel and being held by a user, and input units formed inside the wheel. Each input unit includes a first input switch to be actuated by a pressing action of a user&#39;s thumb, a second input switch to be actuated by a pressing action of the user&#39;s thumb, and a third input switch provided between the first input switch and the second input switch to be actuated by a sliding action of the user&#39;s thumb on the third input switch on the wheel while the user is holding the grip. The input by the first input switch allows a cyclic change to be performed for changing drive modes.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2012-053974 filed on Mar. 12, 2012, the entire contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a steering wheelprovided with input units.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, steering wheels of vehicles have been provided with variouskinds of buttons for setting various operations including a travelingmode setting, a car navigation setting, an audio playback and stopsetting, an audio sound level setting, an air conditioner setting, andthe like.

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A)No. 2003-175783 has disclosed a vehicle-mounted device operation systemin which an operation unit is provided on spokes of a steering wheel. Itis possible for a driver to carry out blind operation by displaying thedriver's selected operation near the driver's line of sight whendriving.

In JP-A No. 2007-153181, a ring-like steering wheel is provided with apalm-rest unit with which the palm of a driver's hand is in contact andis provided with an operation unit with which vehicle-mounted devicescan be operated while the driver's palm is in contact with the palm-restunit.

JP-A No. 2009-161025 has disclosed a construction in which a protrusionis provided on an upper part of a spoke of a steering wheel and a switchis provided on the protrusion in order to allow operation of the switchprovided on the steering wheel without gripping the switch.

However, the construction disclosed in the above Japanese UnexaminedPatent Application Publications cannot realize a safe and sufficientlysatisfactory operation in consideration of a driver's response toacceleration. In particular, it is preferable in a sports car to allow adriver to carry out the operation of the switch while holding thesteering wheel and without the driver having to move ones hand off thesteering wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the above problems, the present invention aims to provide avehicle having a steering wheel with which safe operation andsufficiently satisfactory operation can be performed in view of aresponse during acceleration of the vehicle.

An aspect of the present invention provides a vehicle including: aperipheral rim; a grip forming a part of the peripheral rim and beingheld by a user (driver); and input units formed inside the peripheralrim. Each of the input units includes a first input switch to beactuated by a pressing action of a user's thumb, a second input switchto be actuated by a pressing action of the user's thumb, and a thirdinput switch provided between the first input switch and the secondinput switch to be actuated by a sliding action of the user's thumb onthe third input switch while the user is holding the grip. The input bythe first input switch allows a cyclic change to be performed forchanging drive modes.

Preferably, the input by the third input switch changes a setting in adesired drive mode.

Preferably, the input by the third input switch changes a speed settingin the desired drive mode.

Preferably, the input by the third input switch changes a setting of aconstant distance between a user's vehicle and a preceding vehicle thatmoves in front of the user's vehicle when the user's vehicle follows thepreceding vehicle while maintaining the constant distance between thevehicles in the desired drive mode.

Preferably, each of the input units further includes a fourth inputswitch. The fourth input switch is located at any position except aposition where the user's thumb can move smoothly when the user isholding the grip. The desired drive mode is released by the fourth inputswitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel of a vehicle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering wheel of the vehicle according toan embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in which adriver (user) is holding the steering wheel of the vehicle according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the steering wheel ofthe vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the steering wheel ofthe vehicle according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of a first input switch of thesteering wheel of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of a fourth input switch of thesteering wheel of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a head of the fourth input switch of thesteering wheel of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are plan views illustrating a state in which a driver(user) is using the steering wheel of the vehicle according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of an input unit of the steering wheelof the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention,illustrating a state in which a driver (user) is using the unit; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a display of the vehicle according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a steering wheel of a vehicle of thepresent invention. The basic embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a steering wheel 1 of a vehicle according to anembodiment of the present invention. The steering wheel 1 includes aperipheral rim, a central hub 2 containing an air bag therein, andspokes 3.

The steering wheel 1 has the spokes 3 that extend from the hub 2 to therim in the right and left directions and in the downward direction. Aninput unit 10 is provided on each of the right and left spokes 3. Eachinput unit 10 is located on a corresponding one of the spokes 3 at aposition at which a thumb of a driver (user) can move naturally to applyan input to the input unit 10 when the user is holding a grip 4 of therim of the steering wheel 1.

Each input unit 10 includes a first input switch 11, a second inputswitch 12, a third input switch 13, and a fourth input switch 14. Thefirst, second, and fourth input switches 11, 12, and 14 are formed asbuttons.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the steering wheel 1 of the vehicle accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a state in whichthe user is holding the wheel 1.

The first input switch 11 is located on the spoke 3 at a position atwhich the user's thumb can be placed without applying any force, whenthe user is holding the grip 4 of the rim of the steering wheel 1. Inaddition, the side of the first input switch 11 that is nearer the thirdinput switch 13 projects further forward (toward the user) than the flatsurface of the third input switch 13.

The second input switch 12 is located on the spoke 3 at a position atwhich the user's thumb can be placed without having to change thepositions of the four other fingers on the grip 4, when the user isholding the grip 4 of the rim of the steering wheel 1. Also, the side ofthe second input switch 12 at the other end of the third input switch 13projects further forward (toward the user) than the flat surface of thethird input switch 13.

The first input switch 11 has a quadrangular shape. The second inputswitch 12 has a circular shape. The fourth input switch 14 has an ovalshape. Thus, the user can easily operate the input units 10 intuitivelywithout having to look at them.

The third input switch 13 is disposed between the first input switch 11and the second input switch 12 on the spoke 3 and is a slide-type switchhaving a flat surface. This slide-type switch (third input switch 13)may use an electrostatic capacitance system, an infrared radiationsystem, a surface elastic wave system, an electrical resistance membranesystem, or an electromagnetic induction system. In the presentinvention, the electrostatic capacity system that is low in error isadopted.

The third input switch 13 determines a level of input by detecting amovement of the user's thumb on the flat surface of the switch 13.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the steering wheel 1of the vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention.The first input switch 11 projects diagonally forward (toward the user)with respect to the flat surface of the third input switch 13 at anobtuse angle with respect to the flat surface. The second input switch12 projects at a right angle with respect to the flat surface of thethird switch input 13. The fourth input switch 14 projects at a rightangle with respect to the flat surface of the third switch input 13, asin the case of the second input switch 12.

The side of the first input switch 11 that is nearer the third inputswitch 13 projects further than the other side of the switch 11 at theupper side of the steering wheel 1 from the user's point of view. Thus,it is possible to prevent the user from pressing the first input switch11 accidentally instead of the third switch 13 when the user operatesthe steering wheel 1.

The second input switch 12 is disposed perpendicularly to the flatsurface of the third input switch 13. The second input switch 12 isactuated by the user's thumb pushing the second input switch 12 downwardin a direction perpendicular to the flat surface of the third inputswitch 13.

The fourth input switch 14 is located on the spoke 3 at any positionexcept a position where the user's thumb can move smoothly on the spoke3 when the user is holding the grip 4. This location will make operationof the switch difficult to some degree. However, it is possible to usethe fourth input switch 14 as an important button in view of safety whenthe user is holding the steering wheel 1, since the user must be carefulwhen pressing the fourth input switch 14.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view of a part of the steering wheel 1of the vehicle according to a second embodiment of the presentinvention. The first input switch 11, the second input switch 12, andthe third input switch 13 on the steering wheel 1 in the secondembodiment of the vehicle are respectively disposed at the samepositions as the first input switch 11, the second input switch 12, andthe third input switch 13 on the steering wheel 1 in the firstembodiment of the vehicle. In the steering wheel 1 in the secondembodiment of the vehicle, a fifth input switch 15 is provided insteadof the fourth input switch 14 on the steering wheel 1 in the firstembodiment of the vehicle.

The fifth input switch 15 is located on the spoke 3 at a position wherethe user's forefinger can operate the switch 15 when the user is holdingthe grip 4. The fifth input switch 15 has the same function as thefourth input switch 14.

According to the above arrangement, it is possible to prevent the userfrom pressing the fifth input switch 15 accidentally, since the usercannot press the fifth input switch 15 unknowingly when only moving theuser's thumb. The user must make a conscious effort to move theirforefinger and must press the fifth input switch 15 in order to pressthe fifth input switch 15, thereby enhancing safety for importantoperations.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of the first input switch 11 of thesteering wheel 1 of the vehicle according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The first input switch 11 projects frontward (towardthe user) at an obtuse angle with respect to the flat surface of thethird input switch 13. The first input switch 11 is pressed downward ina direction at an obtuse angle relative to the flat surface of the thirdinput switch 13. Thus, even if the user attempts to press the firstinput switch 11 in a direction at an acute angle relative to the flatsurface of the third input switch 13, the first input switch 11 cannotbe operated.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the fourth input switch 14 ofthe steering wheel 1 of the vehicle according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The fourth input switch 14 projects at a right anglerelative to the flat surface of the third input switch 13.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of a head of the fourth input switch 14 ofthe steering wheel 1 of the vehicle according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The head of the fourth input switch 14 is chamfereddiagonally so as to be easily urged from any direction (see arrows inFIG. 6). Thus, the user can readily press the fourth input switch 14continuously.

FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are plan views illustrating a state in which the useris using the steering wheel 1 of the vehicle according to an embodimentof the present invention. FIG. 8A shows a state in which the user hastheir thumb on the first input switch 11. FIG. 8B shows a state in whichthe user has their thumb on the third input switch 13. FIG. 8C shows astate in which the user has their thumb on the second input switch 12.

In the case where the user has their thumb on the second input switch12, the position of the thumb corresponds to a lower end position wherethe thumb can be placed without having to change the position of theuser's four fingers located on the grip 4 of the steering wheel 1 whenthe user is holding the grip 4. Consequently, in order for the user topress down on the fourth input switch 14, the user must forcibly movethe thumb onto the fourth input switch 14 in the case where the user isholding the grip 4 of the steering wheel 1.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of an input unit 10 of the steeringwheel 1 of the vehicle according to an embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating a state in which a user is using the unit 10.Using the fulcrum of the thumb as a reference, the positionalrelationship among the input switches 11, 12, 13, and 14 in the vehicleof the present invention will be described below.

The first input switch 11 is located with respect to the fulcrum of theuser's thumb at a position to which the thumb can move upward naturallyand easily within a comfortable area when the user is holding the grip 4of the steering wheel 1.

The second input switch 12 is located with respect to the fulcrum of theuser's thumb at a position to which the thumb can move downwardnaturally and easily within a comfortable area when the user is holdingthe grip 4 of the steering wheel 1.

The third input switch 13 is located with respect to the fulcrum of theuser's thumb at a position to which the user's thumb can move upward anddownward naturally, and easily within a comfortable area when the useris holding the grip 4 of the steering wheel 1. The third input switch 13is disposed between the lower side of the first input switch 11 and theupper side of the second input switch 12.

The fourth input switch 14 is located with respect to the fulcrum of thethumb at a position to which the user's thumb can move downward withslight effort when the user is holding the grip 4 of the steering wheel1. For example, the fourth input switch 14 is disposed below the secondinput switch 12 and is spaced apart from the switch 12 by a thumb width.

The first, second, third, and fourth input switches 11, 12, 13, and 14are located on an arcuate line that indicates the movement path of thethumb. In particular, the third input switch 13 is oriented along thearcuately curved line along the movement path of the thumb.

FIG. 10 shows a display board of the vehicle in an embodiment accordingto the present invention. Next, referring now to a display board 20 inFIG. 10, a specific operation of the input units 10 in an embodiment ofthe present invention will be described.

The display board 20 physically or electrically displays a speed meter21, an engine tachometer 22, a fuel meter 23, a fuel economy gage 24, ashift position indicator 25, and a driving indicator 26. The speed meter21 indicates a speed in an analogue manner while the engine tachometer22 indicates an engine speed in an analogue manner.

The fuel meter 23 indicates the amount of fuel remaining in a fuel tankof a vehicle. The fuel economy gage 24 shifts its needle toward a plusside or a minus side on the basis of the average amount of fuelcalculated by a traveling history of a user. The shift positionindicator 25 indicates a current shift position selected by a userthrough a shift-operation.

The driving indicator 26 indicates a vehicle speed, a travelingdistance, a drive mode, and the like.

There are in the embodiment three drive modes that are associated with acombination of an output characteristic of an engine and a controlpattern of a transmission. For example, there are a fuel economyemphasis mode A, a traveling mode B that takes into consideration fueleconomy and an accelerator response, and an accelerator responseemphasis mode C.

These modes realize a performance that complies with user's demands bymeans of a plurality of output performances and control patterns set inan engine control unit (ECU) and a transmission control unit (TCU) foran automatic vehicle. For example, in the case where a user cancomfortably drive a vehicle in an urban area or for long distancetraveling, a smooth and practical output characteristic is set by themode A, thereby realizing excellent fuel economy.

Also, in the embodiment, an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) isinstalled in a vehicle. ADAS can control an automatic braking operationin response to detection of a collision, a speed control operation thatis executed on the basis of the speed of a preceding vehicle, and acontrol operation that controls a distance between a preceding vehicleand a trailing vehicle. When an obstacle that may cause a collision isdetected in front of a vehicle, an automatic braking operation issystematically performed. It is possible to realize a driver assistancemode, that is, a drive mode for following the preceding vehicle whilemaintaining a constant distance between the vehicles by ADAS and it ispossible to set a speed and to control the distance between thevehicles.

In connection with the vehicle having the above drive modes (the modesA, B, and C, and the driver assistance mode), functions of the inputunits 10 of the steering wheel 1 in an embodiment of the presentinvention will be described below.

The first input switch 11 serves as a button for changing the drivemodes. An input by the first input switch 11 enables a drive mode tocarry out a cyclic change. For example, it is possible to change thedrive mode through the cyclic change from the mode A through the mode B,the mode C, and the driver assistance mode to the mode A.

The drive mode is selected by performing input with the second inputswitch 12. The mode is released by the fourth input switch 14 or thefifth input switch 15.

The selected mode is displayed on the driving display 26 in response toselection of the mode. When a vehicle following mode is selected and isset, the expression “CRUISE SET” is displayed on the driving display 26.

When a vehicle is running at 40 km/h upon selection of the userassistance mode, the vehicle speed at this time is set. The vehicle runsat a constant speed unless the user steps on the accelerator pedal orthe brake pedal. At this time, the constant speed is changed, when theuser's thumb slides on the third input switch 13, namely the slideswitch. At this time, it is not necessary to apply an input to thesecond input switch 12 that has a function of confirming a selection.

When the user's thumb moves the slide switch, namely the third inputswitch 13 upward, the speed increases. When the user's thumb moves theslide switch downward, the speed decreases.

In the case where a preceding vehicle exists in front of a user'svehicle in which the user is selecting the driver assistance mode, theuser's vehicle follows the preceding vehicle while maintaining aconstant distance between the vehicles. At this time, the constantdistance between the vehicles can be changed by moving the user's thumbon the third input switch 13, namely, the slide switch. At this time, itis not necessary to apply an input to the second input switch 12 thathas a function of confirming a selection.

When the user's thumb moves the slide switch upward, the distancebetween the vehicles increases. When the user's thumb moves the slideswitch downward, the distance between the vehicles decreases.

In the above example, only the third input switch 13, namely, the slideswitch can change the vehicle speed or the distance between thevehicles. However, the vehicle speed and the distance between thevehicles may be changed by tapping the second input switch 12continuously. For example, the vehicle speed may be increased by tappingthe second input switch 12 continuously after selecting the userassistance mode.

An example of the function regarding the drive modes is described above.However, since input units 10 are provided on the right and left sidesof the steering wheel 1, for example, the respective input switches ofthe left side input unit 10 can be used for functions other than theselection or the adjustment of the drive mode. For example, the firstinput switch 11 may be used as a selection button for a playback mode ora stop mode, and the second input switch 12 may be used to select one ofa sound level mode and a playback mode. The third input switch 13 may beused to adjust a sound level in the sound level mode while the thirdinput switch 13 may be used to adjust a fast-forwarding function or areversing function in the playback mode. Similarly, the third inputswitch 13 may be used to skip music tracks in the music selection mode.

Also, control of an air-conditioner can be performed, as in the case ofthe above example. For instance, the first input switch 11 may be usedas a selection button for setting an air capacity or a temperature, andthe second input switch 12 may be used to select one of an air capacitymode and a temperature-setting mode. The third input switch 13 may beused to adjust the air capacity in the air capacity mode while the thirdinput switch 13 may be used to adjust the temperature set in thetemperature-setting mode.

Also, control of a car navigation system can be performed, as in thecase of the above example. For instance, the first input switch 11 maybe used as a setting button for specifying the destination, and thesecond input switch 12 may be used to select one of the destinations.The third input switch 13 may be used to adjust a magnification scale ofa map when the map is being displayed.

It is possible to install the above functions in any one of the rightside input unit 10 and the left side input unit 10 in the steering wheel1 of the vehicle of the present invention. Another switch button (notshown) may be used to change the functions of the input units 10. Forexample, it is possible to change the function of the left side inputunit 10 in the steering wheel 1 from a function of controlling the airconditioner to a function of controlling an audio system.

Constructions and Advantages of Embodiments

The vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includesa peripheral steering wheel 1, a grip 4 forming a part of the wheel 1and being held by a user (driver), and input units 10 formed inside thewheel 1. Each of the input unit 10 includes a first input switch 11 tobe actuated by a pressing action of a user's thumb, a second inputswitch 12 to be actuated by a pressing action of the user's thumb, and athird input switch 13 provided between the first input switch 11 and thesecond input switch 12 to be actuated by a sliding action of the user'sthumb on the third input switch on the wheel 1 while the user is holdingthe grip 4. The input by the first input switch 11 allows a cyclicchange to be performed for changing drive modes.

The above structure can achieve safe operation and can obtainsufficiently satisfactory operation in view of a response duringacceleration of the vehicle.

In the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, theinput by the third input switch 13 changes a setting in a desired drivemode.

The above structure can achieve more comfortable driving in view of aresponse during acceleration of the vehicle, since the third inputswitch 13 does not restrict the steering operation.

In the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present invention, theinput by the third input switch 13 changes a speed setting in thedesired drive mode.

In the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, theinput by the third input switch 13 changes a setting of a constantdistance between a user's vehicle and a preceding vehicle that moves infront of the user's vehicle when the user's vehicle follows thepreceding vehicle while maintaining the constant distance between thevehicles in the desired drive mode.

Through the above structure, the speed and the distance between vehiclescan be set more intuitively.

In the vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, eachof the input units 10 further includes a fourth input switch 14. Thefourth input switch 14 is located at any position except a positionwhere the user's thumb can move smoothly when the user is holding thegrip 4. The desired drive mode is released by the fourth input switch14.

The above structure can achieve safe operation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle including: a peripheral rim; a gripforming a part of the peripheral rim and being held by a user; and inputunits formed inside the peripheral rim; each of the input unitsincluding: a first input switch to be actuated by a pressing action of auser's thumb; a second input switch to be actuated by a pressing actionof the user's thumb; and a third input switch provided between the firstinput switch and the second input switch to be actuated by a slidingaction of the user's thumb on the third input switch while the user isholding the grip; the input by the first input switch allows a cyclicchange to be performed for changing drive modes.
 2. The vehicleaccording to claim 1, wherein the input by the third input switchchanges a setting in a desired drive mode.
 3. The vehicle according toclaim 2, wherein the input by the third input switch changes a speedsetting in the desired drive mode.
 4. The vehicle according to claim 2,wherein the input by the third input switch changes a setting of aconstant distance between a user's vehicle and a preceding vehicle thatmoves in front of the user's vehicle when the user's vehicle follows thepreceding vehicle while maintaining the constant distance between thevehicles in the desired drive mode.
 5. The vehicle according to any oneof claim 2, wherein each of the input units further includes a fourthinput switch; the fourth input switch is located at any position excepta position where the user's thumb can move smoothly when the user isholding the grip; and the desired drive mode is released by the fourthinput switch.
 6. The vehicle according to any one of claim 3, whereineach of the input units further includes a fourth input switch; thefourth input switch is located at any position except a position wherethe user's thumb can move smoothly when the user is holding the grip;and the desired drive mode is released by the fourth input switch. 7.The vehicle according to any one of claim 4, wherein each of the inputunits further includes a fourth input switch; the fourth input switch islocated at any position except a position where the user's thumb canmove smoothly when the user is holding the grip; and the desired drivemode is released by the fourth input switch.